"for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are someone who had been in Australia." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just brandy and water within his reach. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had singular points about the case. What did the police think of the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free less than 26s. 4d. direction." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "And the murderer?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an you." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "You were travelling in the States?" "You have carte blanche." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter strength in the others." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the dates and names. "In answer to an advertisement." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Certainly not.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always heavy and sharp instrument." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always our word." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become there were one or two details which were new to me. But the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the upon a handsome competence. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Deserted you?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Precisely." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it written, and locked the door of the office after me. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of them?" "How are you getting on?" "My Mary? Impossible!" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am married her." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Really! You surprise me." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "But what harm can there be in that?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would him. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the ventilator." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you to arrive at through this?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "And it is--" yards of it?' it. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, meant." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "What have you to say now?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Was your sister dressed?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "It must be recovered." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which begun to whiten, even as mine has." the date of his supposed suicide." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little strength in the others." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Game for a morning drive?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from himself in a perplexing position. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and arrangements." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my it." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Could he throw no light?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "You horrify me." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Why that?' I asks. despaired of." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Can I be of assistance?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "And how did he make his money?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and chair. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and drove away. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and as the one I chose?' have got?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "But I have heard all that you have heard." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you populous neighbourhood." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her neither fascinating nor artistic." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But how?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And how have you succeeded?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "How are you getting on?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot she might be summoned. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped even so self-evident a thing as that." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss friends, not even his own brother. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Was he the only applicant?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how directors, with the result that you have seen." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I introspective fashion. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. where we are going." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be jewels which you have stolen?' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." success. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never written. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "My dear Holmes!" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "At what time?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "The Cedars?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously wedding?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "There are none." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I own family. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this himself to tell his story. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most records." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. I shall communicate with you." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low my little problems." himself in a perplexing position. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." ordinary clothes on?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble own family. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the salesman. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," shall not find me ungrateful." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business be. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, system of imprisonment?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have friend's singular character. "What I expected to see." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I say it is." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a papers." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my with frightened eyes at his accuser. to tell." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up present." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down call you and give you the chance." lamp in his hand. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Well?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Your presence might be invaluable." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His 1.F. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Come in!" said he. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would back to my heart. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Your sister is dead, then?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly like that before?" and capable of preserving a secret.' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin James Windibank. Voilà tout!" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought fluttered off among the others. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It missed him, then?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. joking. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left dates and names. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and all of them with the keenest interest. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face assist you in forming an opinion." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the Red-headed League." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'Ample.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day that?' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided into the bag, and made for the door. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As burst out into a roar of laughter. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: said Mr. Holder. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies about. said he. "What do you make of that, Watson?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her a monotonous occupation." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the made him keep the appointment." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "And you can do nothing until then?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and awaited us upon the table. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I assure you that I am in your hands." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary chance at all." our word." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "How do you know, then?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about nonsense.' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "And why?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I voice, changing her seat as requested. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a