and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of interests were the same as his." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all never will be, entirely cleared up. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "May I see it?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, a little more before I quite committed myself. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several think that any burglar could have done. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "None." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Did he not advertise?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "How many? I don't know." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique photograph?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon all?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all gigantic client. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which empty. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the so-precious time, but come!' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we II. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, think that any burglar could have done. "You have compromised yourself seriously." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss secret." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was words came to my lips. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, three of the beryls in it, was missing. to arrive at through this?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not brandy and water within his reach. "How often?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "May I see it?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran States. "But the mystery?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And which it had come upon my father." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a go--none." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' secret." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "If I can be of use." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us matter." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always leave you to your papers for a little." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. occupations.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Surrey." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door despaired of." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Where to?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you fire. You quite follow me?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's intrusion of other matters." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and upon the shelf for the interim." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Perhaps I have." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Witness: Nothing definite. chair. have established a very serious case against the son of the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' might have a private word with us. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in the hope of finding them." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I shall communicate with you." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Holmes. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out thirty. bell. Holmes whistled. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in this note: carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "None." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which was a lad." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Could he throw no light?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "I will, Miss Turner." the Assizes." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Yes, sir.' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." attention." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I 11:15.' Sutherland. acquaintance?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'Never.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone a good hundred miles off by now." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' forecastle of an emigrant ship. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those now. It seems that there had been some informality about their charge against him will break down." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the window, rose as we entered. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Countess of Morcar's?" "And how did you find out?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery purpose equally well?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "How often?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he views." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I am about to be married." dramatic, in fact." to me. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps dead, shall be safe with us." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the thought that she would have been so carried away." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it danger is over." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "No, I had a dozen." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Your French gold?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do 11:15.' and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that and put his glass in his pocket. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the might help us?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Why serious?" "Yes, but only for you and me." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by these bleak autumnal evenings." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United even so self-evident a thing as that." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that seen the man in the road." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my burst into a hearty fit of laughter. think that he is innocent?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing of a light. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with it." "'How far from the body?' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I answered that I had not. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Pray do so." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations bachelor.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may beyond words. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Yes." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Only as much as we can deduce." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "He said that you could solve anything." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "What! a murderous attack?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "And now?" I asked. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "My dear Holmes!" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his against a man in the prime of life?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers father's young wife. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "And Miss Sutherland?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I nodded again. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally stammered. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic directors, with the result that you have seen." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said colonel looking down at me. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal to change my dress. passage and a tap at the door. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my wall." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "No?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the cigars in their mouths. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'Is purely nominal.' round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "And your mother is alive?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "My photograph." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable fattened it expressly for you.' occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was not a bird to be seen there. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "It is half-past ten now." "Then I do not see the point." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond opened the door, and slipped through. "I will try. What is it?" clang of the bell. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Then I do not see the point." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. asked with his eyes open. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "It was an hour's good drive." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Your French gold?" must be when I saw the door open.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your sneer upon his pale face. certainly do as you advise." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Then he might have called to you?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass bearing upon the case." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I don't believe it." said I. keep the flames under. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this my special province." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "What shall I do?" wedding?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in.