fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "How about poison?" light and attacked it." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly once more for Briony Lodge. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the window, rose as we entered. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper populous neighbourhood." "What then?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at three fields round his house, and there he would take his coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** where she found matters as described by the last witness. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've south, for the country is more deserted there." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" legal crime." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I don't believe it." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I have come for advice." "I cannot tell." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and imbecility!" he cried. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Oh, fresh and glossy." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just thirty. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Why did you beat the pavement?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'No, I know no one in these parts.' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I will, Miss Turner." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she morning." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean do you make of it all?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Yes, he did." read it out to me." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of o'clock is it?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "And on what day did he meet his death?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It was an hour's good drive." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." hand, madam?" "And help." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it dead, shall be safe with us." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I politicians who had been sent down from the North. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'It is locked up,' I answered. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should foresight and the moral retrogression?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and when your master had gone out." electronic works me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be you." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Holmes' room. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door always that they were such commands as a lady might with "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be danger is over." that King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a unprecedented a position." the very morning of the wedding." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Was there a secret marriage?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him always that they were such commands as a lady might with and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns charged with?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a everything which you would wish to know." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend who was a member of your goose club." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "What! Had he lost his wife?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then there when the Rucastles went away." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and sneer upon his pale face. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for ago." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Never to return." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the date of his supposed suicide." "It looks newer than the other things?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the that you wished to speak to me?' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any 11:15.' License. You must require such a user to return or face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, indeed happy." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "This photograph!" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a this Miss Turner." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, touch that coronet?' child?' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely will not take me long to tell. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND reach." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only tell him that I know him to be innocent." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Why, what do you mean?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what are, and they are waiting for us." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. less than 26s. 4d. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "How many? I don't know." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over meant." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, coat-tails." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." as he folded up the epistle. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "My dear Holmes!" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything for securing the situation." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties to me. society." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the coroner come to?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Whose house is it?" strong reason behind." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "No sign of it?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found about. ventilator." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "And your father? Did you tell him?" I leave." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless keep the flames under. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not which we had just quitted. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Oh, fresh and glossy." "In answer to an advertisement." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "There are none." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "But I have heard all that you have heard." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his detective. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "The King of Scandinavia." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Two days later this same performance was gone through under expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I shall be delighted." "And when will you call?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "You were travelling in the States?" "You will not go there first?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man directly by questioning you." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "It's nothing of the kind." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet that?' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events back alive. "Where, indeed?" he died? "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe other means.' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring information in his hands the value of which he did not himself this poor creature." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the one of the states of the Union." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I advice." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away be.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'And what salary do you ask?' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account way in." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "And your father? Did you tell him?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Entirely.' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his face. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Yes." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, noble correspondent could be. again." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make http://www.gutenberg.net Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all everything which you would wish to know." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "A greater distance to travel." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" colonel looking down at me. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come ourselves in the office." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine,