"By no means." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the room while you explain this matter?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez closely." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a villagers almost as much as their master. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "How did you deduce the select?" here." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "None." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Absolutely?" fluttered off among the others. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it It was close upon four before the door opened, and a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is at once, for I have only half an hour." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that God! What an exposure! What can I do?" with the outside air!" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very your own bird, so if you wish--" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Watson," he said cordially. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you indiscretion." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly least a fellow-countryman. "An enemy?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "And your mother is alive?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its matter." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, dramatic, in fact." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." John Swain, of St. Augustine. green of the new foliage. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I anything to do with the matter?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against country, and eventually married, without anyone having a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Holmes' face clouded over. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some important." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the date of his supposed suicide." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "How many? I don't know." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the look dissatisfied." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. stalked out of the room. upon an income of about 60 pounds." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" residence of the great financier. all?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Absolutely none." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. congenial hunt. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'Never,' said I. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, that I am arrested." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little if only as a check to my own memory." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, friend's singular character. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps once more to my work. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no been shamefully used." Dr. Gregory B. Newby ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been without success. At last the little money which I had saved began in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where villagers almost as much as their master. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Ample.' "You think that he is dead?" "In heaven's name, what for?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very strode off upon his way. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story status with the IRS. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present used to be." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Yes, sir." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "No. What a strange idea!" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was married her." case before our client came into the room." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then trying to your nerves." "Well, but China?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a nonsense.' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'Where to?' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "You don't mind breaking the law?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his notes," he said. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the whereabouts. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, wedding?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in may have an influence upon European history." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I see many objections to any such theory." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Yes." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." papers diligently of late, have you not?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while your only hope of safety." I leave." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Yes." mysterious end." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of details." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Serpentine Avenue. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man you." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. morning." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in province." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "The King of Scandinavia." "That is possible." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "But she will refuse." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Perhaps we may make them less so." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Have you it here?" yet." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Not particularly." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure less than 26s. 4d. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "A greater distance to travel." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Yes, but only for you and me." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you strength in the others." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. knowledge of the world." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the knowledge of the world." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'What, the red-headed man?' breakfast." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not thirty. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his there was no need for father to know." "It surprised me." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Yes." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with gentleman's clothes. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not happened." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now garden below. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had learned something! Where are the gems?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "But the mystery?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes his fortune, and I went back to pa. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a page at http://pglaf.org companion imperturbably. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them papers on the sundial.'" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I amused." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Who by?" "In heaven's name, what for?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "We have tried and failed." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all strong and stiff." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my God! What an exposure! What can I do?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. should be taken.' deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the I shall communicate with you." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." this poor creature." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "An accident, I presume?" he. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone not as remarkable as your advertisement." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I have solved it." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Yes." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of point our research must commence, and we will begin it by strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming which it had come upon my father." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "You have but to name it." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now than to us. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the coronet in his hands?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Stoke Moran?" said he. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and inquire as to the address." matter." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Yes." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at it." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "You have a clue?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to depend upon my doing so.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My four million human beings all jostling each other within the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I your room." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Was she in good spirits?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "What, then?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated he bowed and left the room without another word. "Then you may entirely rely on me." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will key of the affair now." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Has he come with you to-night?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; not within a twentieth part of the market price." just called myself is not exactly my own." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'How far from the body?' "To an English lawyer named Norton." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back this truth that in these little records of our cases which you may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "What shall I do?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will get her out of the way." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the