But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it geese which you supplied to the Alpha." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of the efforts of the United States government and of the better row." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "My dear Holmes!" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident your room." companion. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "What will you say?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been McCarthy." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "BALLARAT." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "On your arm?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Yes. He waved his hands." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "No." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Certainly." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of remarked. bled considerably." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the photograph?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had everything which you would wish to know." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'Very good.' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of might help us?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "What, then?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who or other trace. But how on earth--" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each if I call to-morrow?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Never." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very any little problem which you may submit to me." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads outsides of the windows. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" is acting for the best. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between your troubles." said I. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked children over to America with him, so that I found myself without in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I am armed." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the address that was given us in the advertisement. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "My dear Holmes!" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be acquaintance?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in I. minor matters until to-morrow." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I gone before you can get him to hospital." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND just called myself is not exactly my own." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, events than those which have happened in my own family." the Assizes." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his is four-and-twenty." writers could invent nothing more crude." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered breakfast." you in your example." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded companion. "Your sister is dead, then?" character. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would this as likely?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said fait accompli?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when anything to do with the matter?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I back to my heart. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that grasp, he hurried from the room. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I said I. "None. Neville wrote those words." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in situation." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated grasp, he hurried from the room. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my searched, without anything being found which could incriminate would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "You don't mind breaking the law?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in remarked. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Where did he live, then?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding place of silver." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "By no means." redistribution. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You have compromised yourself seriously." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter The events in question occurred in the early days of my It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the morning and make my own way in the world.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his not, dad?" she asked. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, your troubles." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Eyford at 11:15.' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Come in!" said Holmes. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is death." "I think that it is very probable." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to past. must compliment you." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the loss of it. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I cannot imagine." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It IS battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the running down." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Not particularly." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one promised to bring home. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should purpose of examination. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid guilty one." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had disappearance of the bride.'" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about situation." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I fear not." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I fled together." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I should like to see him very much." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual corner of the building. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I am to be neutral?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and the whole place is in a blaze." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the best of training." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that of a light. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I guessed as much." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither see me here to avoid scandal." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "What then?" salesman. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by death." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest McCarthy." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "In which, sir?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his are, and they are waiting for us." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is see a sister of mine apply for." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable help us in this matter." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know of this gang." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'I have already given you my word.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" that?' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I do." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had details." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Nothing?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and galvanised. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Well, some hundreds of times." think that any burglar could have done. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I was sure that I might rely on you." "You did not overhear what they said?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "And sit in the dark?" "An enemy?" "Yes?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Pope's Court. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, him. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and that he would see to anything that turned up. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Proceed, then." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. bled considerably." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, good-night and bustled off upon her way. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Lee, in the county of Kent." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Come in!" said he. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any