his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may dead, shall be safe with us." Countess of Morcar's?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the loss of it. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very with some details as to your case." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'I have heard so.' words came to my lips. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he that there was nothing in it, after all." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "In San Francisco, a year ago." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his garden below. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Oh, the cause is excellent!" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove it means?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his views." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "But I am all in the dark." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For my special province." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very an introduction to him?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more coat-tails." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head I nodded to show that I had heard. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right in his hands." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Pray do so." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "And what did you see?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the one else, I think." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. bell. Holmes whistled. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little skylight. the best of training." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his national property. I was determined that the law should have its do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "And it is--" think you a quite exceptional woman." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Eyford at 11:15.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face over here." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at way in." papers." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has had a long day." "'I am sure if I had known--' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you business at Coburg Square is serious." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade not fit the lock." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my cheerful." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes of the one which your family is now devouring." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I started for the Temple to see my husband. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him ceremony." attention." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "And how did you find out?" "Where, then, is my wife?" "Where, then, is my wife?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Pool. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and father's place of business?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "At half-wages, in fact." closing the door. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so in the dead of the night?' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "My dear Holmes!" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Who by?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the that he will be back before evening." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the bottom.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of becomes even more simple." "Perhaps we may make them less so." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the station." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'And what salary do you ask?' a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes, he did." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just definite end. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight good-night and bustled off upon her way. to take care of herself." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for II. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "To the police?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "When did she vanish, then?" "You have but to name it." grasp, he hurried from the room. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "So I am. Very much so." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" meanly of me." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Yes, that is the Crown." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'As governess?' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always he. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "What office?" "That was it, sir." "BALLARAT." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as extraordinary contortions. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of see a sister of mine apply for." "How many? I don't know." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most point our research must commence, and we will begin it by problems help me to do so." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "But he might be a bachelor." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has something of him before." "Yes." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich exactly what you advise." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at to surprise her." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "And I say east," said my patient. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Thank you. And your address?" Cross for the Continent." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If congenial hunt. here." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, she might be summoned. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Yes, certainly." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I shall most certainly do so." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'And the work?' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would infinite languor in his face. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can are, and they are waiting for us." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the little opening for the ventilator is." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Will you go?" presume?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly I nodded again. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "What have you to say now?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, place of silver." "But his lameness?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I am armed." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "What then?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, crime." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Here?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. hurried by. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have evidence," I remarked. returned to France?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked companion quietly. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the enter into my head. from the brougham. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes, sir." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped these bleak autumnal evenings." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Nothing?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who money should be paid at once.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "It is possible." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if wanted for ourselves." envelope. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Ha! you find it so?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Eyford at 11:15.' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to your Highness to the police-station?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Here?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." were wasted." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "We must sit without light. He would see it through the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Breckinridge is his name." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Certainly." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with third from London." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your undoubtedly my uncle's." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his more solid." throat." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a a room. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the father's place of business?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little that before taking the final step I should like to submit the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain politicians who had been sent down from the North. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof The events in question occurred in the early days of my off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "And now?" He raised his hand. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of following enigmatical notices: