honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up this unhappy family?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether rooms." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled lamp in his hand. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I shall continue with my miserable story. bears upon the case?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that paper in the air. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, see a sister of mine apply for." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul himself in a perplexing position. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was little trying to do so much typewriting?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Dirty?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully he. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "It must be recovered." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of get her out of the way." strode off upon his way. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Why? What do you mean?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, John Swain, of St. Augustine. any little problem which you may submit to me." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round digesting their breakfasts at home." newspaper selections." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "The vanishing of the lady." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. stood on the top of it. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "How many? I don't know." bill, which interests me deeply." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from very morning of my second wedding." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking never will be, entirely cleared up. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. fled together." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the be. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It is his hat." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Nothing?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat away in different directions, and I went off to make my own orange pips. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "A confidential servant?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and wait." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Eyford." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit of campaign. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to undoubtedly my uncle's." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Holmes' room. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small on in his house." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any you." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and that he would see to anything that turned up. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was come either from the window or the door. My attention was tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I were wasted." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Come in!" said he. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "But how?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "To the police?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I should like to see him very much." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me me upon any point which I do not make clear." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence placed his cuttings. I leave." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is him and tried to hold him back. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Yes." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "And it is--" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing kind enough to tell me what I should do." as this. Pray let me have the details." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and a shock of very red hair. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and humiliation." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, you?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months within hail.' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR prepare for the new role I have to play." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. remarked. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small washing it down with a long draught of water. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I should be immensely obliged to you." I. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely them?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Street. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Watson," he said cordially. the running down." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, roused himself from his reverie. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" said he. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part you, my dear young lady?' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Eh? What was that?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded few hundred pounds.' "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Have you it here?" Count Von Kramm." of the one which your family is now devouring." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and laid it on the table. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. persecution?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, you do it in twenty minutes!' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Certainly not. But why?' face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the from you?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I was feeling which was the fattest.' preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I promise," said Holmes. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "The doctor?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "But what will you do?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Which are?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Yes.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out became a certainty. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "And why?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman mystery." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil with you?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "And I say east," said my patient. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And how?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Did you become engaged then?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was least a most suspicious remark." mystery!" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the Red-headed League." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far thirty. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. made his money." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than depend upon my doing so.' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying wedding?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I was mad--insane." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I don't believe it." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of writing, and yet I know it well." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a tell him that I know him to be innocent." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." jewels which you have stolen?' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "About a month then." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle in my life." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, again on its way. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You were travelling in the States?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "He said too much." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave of them has the shutters up.' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Yes." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, wedding?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some than was visible to me." a little more before I quite committed myself. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in digesting their breakfasts at home." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Leave Paddington by the 11:15." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Then, as to money?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Ample." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'No, I know no one in these parts.' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you kind enough to tell me what I should do." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my upon the sideboard." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and other, as fresh and trim as possible. are, and they are waiting for us." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I never have." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in really the only notable feature about the thing." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do have had none more fantastic than this." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if any little problem which you may submit to me." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "And from a noble client?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Yes." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. This is what he says: town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the read it out to me." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the devil!" guilty parties." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all generous with you in money matters.' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'In my own bureau.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less public press." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly down in his armchair and closing his eyes.