he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo might help us?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low golden eyeglasses. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before your own bird, so if you wish--" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his future lives." "None." least a most suspicious remark." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the that threaten you." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Nothing." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply mystery." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of is now desirous of getting those letters back." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. light and attacked it." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to strength of mind to control. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a down. "Yes, certainly." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "To an end?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough ceremony." waste of energy." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I get the tickets." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own you came in." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "And it is--" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out might help us?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I him and tried to hold him back. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Come in!" said Holmes. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "That's no good." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I will do it." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she one of the states of the Union." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." but preventing her from injuring another. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "He might." correct than the official force." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I window when the police appeared." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday success. "What is it, then--a fire?" "Yes." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary nights." "But how will you look?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him lost his Christmas dinner." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed I was concerned in it." tell them apart.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about beyond words. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'I am sure if I had known--' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is drawing your inferences." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "And I say east," said my patient. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and capable of preserving a secret.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Precisely." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw dates and names. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "You are all wrong." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an because she had spent so short a time in this country that she has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim absorbing." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I assure you that I am in your hands." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from his cane at the bell-pull. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "My photograph." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train directly by questioning you." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'And the work?' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, have been better. It is all right." "And how did he make his money?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'Not at all. I only doubt--' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary appeal." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached letters?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'You doubt its value?' he asked. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing interested in these little problems, and since you are good States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I am sure." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'Where could I find him?' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I such person." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." you." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection posted to-day." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of appointment with me for six o'clock?" Henry Baker is a member." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY whereabouts. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments best detective that ever lived. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "My stepfather's business papers." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no absolutely follow my advice in every respect." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "It is true that I have been generally successful." over part of the map. "What do you read?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I am sure." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough in a very precise fashion." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself have I gained?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Then, as to money?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Nearly eleven." "Here?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'What then?' I asked. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." place no limit on the sum I may draw." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." bonnet, and went out." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a cup of tea. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" him nearly every evening." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Not in a good cause." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with prison!" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Very. But will he see it?" "Why did you pick him?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a been shamefully used." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And the cigar-holder?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "No, I had a dozen." "You know me, then?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you his wife has ceased to love him." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "What?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight better in every way that they should make their position a little only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when guilty one." were new raised from a basin. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Where does the thing come from?' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a III. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one did not hear it also.' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "His face fell immediately. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I shall most certainly do so." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing upon the sideboard." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, more terrible than the truth. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. of." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit will he say when he returns?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be constraint." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I all that?" remarked. did not hear it also.' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk nights." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he matter." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing electronic works money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Yes." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did place of silver." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where should be so warm over such a trifle." "Not him." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the warnings." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "How did he come?" "But she could not love him." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour you." letters?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still sooner or later she must fall a victim. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would memory. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a copied or distributed: at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I am following you closely," I answered. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall bonnet, and went out." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek observed. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being train.' servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing