yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, there was no need for father to know." just called myself is not exactly my own." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to away to you." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'About the same.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "You know me, then?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further you?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There south, for the country is more deserted there." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees helping a boy to put up the shutters. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the bird I ate is country bred." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that he has suffered." out of this horrible affair." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose despaired of." Sutherland. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover that you wished to speak to me?' to affect your life." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress second window is the one that I jumped from." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his who was a member of your goose club." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the leave you to your papers for a little." looking up at the numbers of the houses." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. key turn in the lock." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I don't say that. Perhaps." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed dramatic, in fact." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow if I call to-morrow?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. learned something! Where are the gems?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." outside." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was lame." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Is he quiet?" father's young wife. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest have had none more fantastic than this." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." My friend smiled. a suggestive one." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and no precautions can guard against." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate acted in my house last night?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, him to go away.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now meant." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You were travelling in the States?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. conceal it?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Yes, but only for you and me." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will three of the beryls in it, was missing. take the flies, but not before." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "On Monday." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own detective. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Will you bet, then?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk plantation.' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then entirely devoid of interest." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we have established a very serious case against the son of the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my telegram would bring me down to your help." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now said he. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all from you?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "And your mother is alive?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Have you it here?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may call you and give you the chance." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Entirely." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Look there!" said he. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and round and wave him away like that.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "She walked into the breakfast-room." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND overpowering excitement and concern. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend again, where I was soon asleep. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "BALLARAT." and the whole place is in a blaze." main points of my analysis." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" written. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I any." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "That sounds a little paradoxical." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." woven round him. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "In answer to an advertisement." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "And the murderer?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more This is what he says: himself in a perplexing position. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I beg pardon." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she with you?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between in. business?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in it." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson direction." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was could go. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the legal crime." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday a suggestive one." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, must compliment you." correct than the official force." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the http://www.gutenberg.net this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that woman." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, to change my dress. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An to go into your room and bar your shutters?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits companion. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Married! When?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "How often?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'A dozen yards or so.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Then I can wait in the next room." experiences." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days colonel looking down at me. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a at my remark. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious You want to know what became of those geese?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless gentleman's clothes. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "To an end?" might help us?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "One of his hands." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. weary and pale-looking. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an about here speaks of his kindness to him." the coronet in his hands?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House open." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent front of the hall door has given its name to the place. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have but preventing her from injuring another. open." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. distinguish the words: only touch the interest." "By all means." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, so.' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said results." noting anything else of interest. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague carpenter." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, business at Coburg Square is serious." call you and give you the chance." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with how narrow had been my escape. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned until night should bring an explanation. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Your sister is dead, then?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "And your mother is alive?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, six. Come in!" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' plantation.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is key of the affair now." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the bed, and you in that chair." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what I approached. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very most important business. It is probable that he will be away all way in." "I am following you closely," I answered. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Pray tell us what has happened to you." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Won't it ring?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left happened." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears