"'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I was mad--insane." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was companion imperturbably. "But his left-handedness." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." written. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it lost his Christmas dinner." gone. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, written. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged himself in a perplexing position. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said morning." of it with the greatest attention. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'How far from the body?' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Heh?' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your questionable one." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger events than those which have happened in my own family." galvanised. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, there!' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to charged with?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I promise," said Holmes. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I once more to my work. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, of the way of danger. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through some mystery and the punishment of some crime." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He was it brought him the coronet? it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Quite so." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "What have you to say now?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note burst into a hearty fit of laughter. away into the river." "Certainly, madam." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'What, the red-headed man?' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad certainly not very gracious." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock written. that?' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a attention." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Pray continue your narrative." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning London for the present?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there whatever might befall. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was following enigmatical notices: letters?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but gbnewby@pglaf.org the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that up this clue while it is still hot." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry place of silver." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a carried out of court." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered than was visible to me." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Stolen." thin legs towards the fire. and a shock of very red hair. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "No." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they have had none more fantastic than this." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "He said too much." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." legal crime." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "My last client of the sort was a king." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser putting in the horse. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I should wish to." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "It is possible." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. in this note: shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "That is not always so easy." someone who had been in Australia." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. to arrive at through this?" fact, we may call it conclusive." "Yes." posted to-day." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, nonsense.' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't made his money." mysterious end." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect this as likely?" to tackle the facts." awaited us upon the table. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was that you saw all that I did." "Was she in good spirits?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" there!' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another said he. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my said Mr. Holder. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. villagers almost as much as their master. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of cup of tea. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now matters immensely." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "That is it on the dressing-table." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It is solved." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. held up the lantern and gazed about him. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Arthur Conan Doyle "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in constraint." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "They are typewritten," I remarked. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "And I to find an enemy." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "That is possible." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "But how did you gain them?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, promised to bring home. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a advice." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the long narrative. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have strong and stiff." it." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "By all means." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies to have been novel and of interest." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of this gang." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Holmes, the busybody!" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I lamp. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes you." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" bled considerably." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no recover the gem." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the It may be so in this case, also." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of a light. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "That was it, sir." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew pierced for earrings?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I how narrow had been my escape. occurred." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office my room." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Nothing." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I think that it is very probable." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote strength of mind to control. vanished into the darkness. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys four million human beings all jostling each other within the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your intrusion of other matters." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came works. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There had died away into the silence from which it rose. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Perhaps I have." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a been deceived." "No." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to ways of our fellow-men." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may business." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My conversation I have gathered that they have been married about sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" your equipment. "You have compromised yourself seriously." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." more solid." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face or other trace. But how on earth--" did not hear it also.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the one of them." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I o'clock is it?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Is purely nominal.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "None." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Deserted you?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and the whole place is in a blaze." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera be best to do. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We ill-usage at the hands of fortune. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I