"I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." status with the IRS. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Never." and I shall be with you presently." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Then let me do so?' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and the whole place is in a blaze." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San them?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project advice." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will weigh very heavily upon my conscience." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the arrangements." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I think it very unlikely." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "How did that help you?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting union?" think that he is innocent?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm take the flies, but not before." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, less than 26s. 4d. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and your relations to her." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Holmes' thin, eager face. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much pictures, libraries, or plate. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally newspaper selections." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium such attractions and accomplishments?' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I should like to see him very much." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "A client, then?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was relation between them, and what the object of his repeated end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her if I call to-morrow?" once more for Briony Lodge. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'I shall certainly be there.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "That is easily got." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so man. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, some city in a dream. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "It is his hat." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and I shall be with you presently." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Pray do so." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "But not more so than I to find you." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Very good.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel their singular warning or token before them when starting upon thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the coroner come to?" all-comprehensive glances. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have me. You must get home instantly and act." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'And the work?' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "What then?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to had died away into the silence from which it rose. "But she will refuse." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Yes, it was twisted." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Street. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of was lame." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of the one which your family is now devouring." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Very. But will he see it?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project cigar and let me expound." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "But to whom?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking who was a member of your goose club." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of better in every way that they should make their position a little over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the salesman. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." get her out of the way." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious McCarthy's innocence. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the friends, not even his own brother. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to ourselves in the office." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. past. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It companion. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at woman who has had her own way to make in the world. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my success. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you had this final quarrel? the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it cup of tea. closely." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of think that he is innocent?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would wanted for ourselves." voice. "You have but to name it." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in gentleman's clothes. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts voice, changing her seat as requested. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the Assizes." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged legal crime." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "How are you getting on?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. are windows in it, of course?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it again." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson you?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "The gentleman I describe." "What!" he roared. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began to you." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "It is no ordinary one." "A client, then?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had strength." nonsense.' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'What then?' I asked. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are your own bird, so if you wish--" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, sparkled upon his finger. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "On your arm?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I think that it is very probable." "The rest you will leave in our hands." it." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Dr. Becher's." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official cheerful." "One?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "To ruin me." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only were unconscious?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very we went to search for him, face downward in a little Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "What shall I do?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you useful material for showing traces. The double line a little hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "You'll never persuade me to believe that." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his it means?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Stolen!' he cried. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but bed dies. Does not that strike you?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me beg that you will break it off." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up it means?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an more solid." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Yes, sir.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was chance at all." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" I have it here in my museum." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have her also." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER lost nothing by them." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always footfalls from the street. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive into the room. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was be.' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the what is your own theory as to what took place?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Then he might have called to you?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Her father is very rich?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the points to suicide?" forbidden door. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out said I. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. said he. "The King of Scandinavia." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six plantation.' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I with the outside air!" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened it right.' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would crime." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in hereditary King of Bohemia." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets your most interesting statement." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had third from London." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already then?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "It surprised me." business." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "He is dead," cried several voices. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "So I heard. You have him here?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark generous with you in money matters.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "It is true that I have been generally successful." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "He is still with you, I presume?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until of this gang." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "From his hat?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the house with me." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the coronet in his hand?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan you." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive maiden herself was most instructive." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Yes, there are nearly always some there." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a chamber." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square here." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton