The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Part 31 (1/2)

There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and by the e of the table Then my friend rose and threw open the door

”Get out!” said he

”What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!”

”No more words Get out!”

And no more words were needed There was a rush, a clatter upon the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running footfalls fro up his hand for his clay pipe, ”I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; but this felloill not appear against hi a felony, but it is just possible that I aain; he is too terribly frightened Send hiaol-bird for life Besides, it is the season of forgiveness Chance has put in our way a ular and whimsical probleoodness to touch the bell, Doctor, ill begin another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief feature”

VIII THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND

On glancing overthe last eight years studied the ic, soe, but none co as he did rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of wealth, he refused to associate hiation which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic

Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which presented ular features than that which was associated with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran

The events in question occurred in the early days ofrooht have placed them upon record before, but a promise of secrecy wasthe last e was given It is perhaps as well that the facts should now coht, for I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the death of Dr Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even more terrible than the truth

It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one , fully dressed, by the side of my bed He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little resentular in my habits

”Very sorry to knock you up, Watson,” said he, ”but it's the co Mrs Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you”

”What is it, then--a fire?”

”No; a client It see lady has arrived in a considerable state of excite now in the sitting-roo ladies wander about the , and knock sleepy people up out of their beds, I presu which they have to co case, you would, I aht, at any rate, that I should call you and give you the chance”

”My dear felloould not ”

I had no keener pleasure than in following Hol the rapid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a logical basis hich he unravelled the problems which were submitted to him I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a few -room A lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the , rose as we entered

”Good-, madam,” said Holmes cheerily ”My name is Sherlock Holmes This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr Watson, before wholad to see that Mrs Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee, for I observe that you are shi+vering”

”It is not cold whichher seat as requested

”What, then?”

”It is fear, Mr Holmes It is terror” She raised her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless frightened eyes, like those of soure were those of a worey, and her expression eary and haggard

Sherlock Hollances

”Youforward and patting her forearht, I have no doubt You have co, I see”

”You know me, then?”

”No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the pallove You -cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the station”