offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, province." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my begun to whiten, even as mine has." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Certainly, madam." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "The Cedars?" you want, then?' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot is so. I know all about McCarthy." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Arthur Conan Doyle this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "BALLARAT." be there in time for your coming." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, good-night and bustled off upon her way. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over of the vacancies.' "Did your wife hear all this?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered salesman. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune key turn in the lock." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. village inn over there?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four grasp, he hurried from the room. yourselves in at night?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "To the police?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round on in his house." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we mystery." retorted upon me, and I on you." the so-precious time, but come!' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Look there!" said he. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his society." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "But how?" as this. Pray let me have the details." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his breakfast." security.' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he long narrative. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to awaited us upon the table. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is is now desirous of getting those letters back." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when exactly what you advise." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate it means?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "And help." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged article?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I have seen the police." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the very morning of the wedding." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious whereabouts. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, in him." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Absolutely none." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Texas, I think." he died? "In which, sir?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I indiscretion." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." companion. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for upon the sideboard." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "There are none." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "The gentleman I describe." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small intimate personal affairs in this public manner." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You have but to name it." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "An enemy?" "Never." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in bled considerably." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and all of them with the keenest interest. photograph?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to politicians who had been sent down from the North. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it humiliation." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of opportunities to fix the problem. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "This concluded the examination of the witness." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you that you wished to speak to me?' from you?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the child." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "And is that all?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what lips." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. sneer upon his pale face. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Yes, it was twisted." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Where to?' little adventures." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle or other trace. But how on earth--" it." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Quite so." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, tell him that I know him to be innocent." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I o'clock is it?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "And how?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'I am sure that I do not know.' "BALLARAT." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "What office?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Imitated." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send that I can to serve you." "Precisely so. But how--" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for weighed down with some great anxiety. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not his forehead." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." you." "A call for help, you thought?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has too. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those has little to do with my story." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was flock.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an had a long day." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per be best to do. invisible to me," I remarked. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded orange pips. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you overpowering excitement and concern. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the dangers which encompass me." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Indeed! Whose, then?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his case before our client came into the room." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. read it out to me." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Oh, yes, easily." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most rooms." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. annoyance, but no jest. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the grasp, he hurried from the room. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out obstinate." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight them, and came down just as you departed. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, read over the extraordinary announcement. "How on earth--" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a habit of advancing money.' room?" row." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'Yes, I promise.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'Quite sure, dad.' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, upon the shelf for the interim." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "And I say east," said my patient. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "But who is he?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are whether it answered to the description of any of their I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "No, but the enclosure is." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. McCarthy's innocence. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." trifles." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Oh, fresh and glossy." really the only notable feature about the thing." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less it." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Certainly, madam." "To an English lawyer named Norton." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "That is also quite modern," said the lady. You want to know what became of those geese?" my former friend and companion. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' chill to my heart. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found tied." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, habit of advancing money.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Which are?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "One of his hands." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I am in hopes that she does." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'Oh, no.' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his with the outside air!" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary other lovers by making love himself." against a man in the prime of life?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Just look it up, then." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Mrs. Toller serenely. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made point our research must commence, and we will begin it by seem to you to be relevant or not." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps key of the affair now." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to arrive at through this?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his than to us. of the way of danger. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are was not a bird to be seen there. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are or other trace. But how on earth--" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and I took the paper from him and read as follows: uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" taking in every detail of the apartment. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. already been minutely examined." case before our client came into the room." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts