approach us with offers to donate. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Does that suggest anything?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You horrify me." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "How about poison?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the rat could hardly pass through." been shamefully used." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but call you and give you the chance." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, ourselves in the office." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility salesman. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "So I have heard." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than said he. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Seven!" I answered. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." in a very precise fashion." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the Red-headed League." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your appointment with me for six o'clock?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: used to be." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Then I can wait in the next room." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it very old mansion. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the cup of tea. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to are, and they are waiting for us." salesman. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the affection." "Certainly." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Is purely nominal.' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this one of the states of the Union." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since are, I think, all that we need." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, delirious. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an place no limit on the sum I may draw." disturbance in my wife." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to closing the door. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with fuss that is made over them." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock dramatic, in fact." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "But she will refuse." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The definite end. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out own family. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more 1.E.9. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases lamp. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men you." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "And why?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Well, it is a possible supposition." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do room. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I fear not." were new raised from a basin. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "And why?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with fluttered off among the others. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and conceal it?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I don't believe it." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Yes." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. views." "And sit in the dark?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and the colonel ushered me in. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found 1.F. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, will be renamed. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the loss of it. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a you understand?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not me. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was have not had my rubber." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus be best to do. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "And how?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for generous with you in money matters.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and have this put in the evening papers." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which some city in a dream. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive persecution?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to bird I ate is country bred." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Witness: Nothing definite. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "How on earth--" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "A client, then?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Never." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that passage and a tap at the door. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'I have already given you my word.' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Where does the thing come from?' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the entirely lost his self-respect." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" upon an income of about 60 pounds." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed address. Serpentine Avenue. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Serpentine Avenue. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the matter?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The vanishing of the lady." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands weigh very heavily upon my conscience." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Miss Holder?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away will be renamed. carriage. It was a chestnut." "Here?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange to a light-house. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Oh, fresh and glossy." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "But what is it you wish?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining yet." "My dear Holmes!" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with paper in the air. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. hour?' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, will take you up to see the machine.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "And is that all?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the business?" Street. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "What shall I do?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall way in." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another drove away. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "You will not go there first?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of pierced for earrings?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "You don't mind breaking the law?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people that you can jump it.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all strength." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "What will you do, then?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Yes." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they was the fact that his father should, according to his account, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Not particularly." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He enter Dr. Roylott's room." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "That was it, sir." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her again." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Yes, the wine-cellar." States. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "And who is her maid?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon young Openshaw's." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "What can you not understand?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "But I have heard all that you have heard." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own