"This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them has little to do with my story." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I him and tried to hold him back. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the bed, and you in that chair." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the his knees, staring into the fire. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord would apply.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but do.' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "To an English lawyer named Norton." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us awkward doing business with an alias." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Yes, from Horsham." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Witness: Nothing definite. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "No bad?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and the church but not where the lady lived." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "His face fell immediately. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "No, I think that I'll take it." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the station." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." detective. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a not fit the lock." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "But you can know nothing of this?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. had formerly been in part my own. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'A dozen yards or so.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes unprofitable." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; bedroom door." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and inquire as to the address." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Is he quiet?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary opened the door, and slipped through. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, writing, and yet I know it well." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "About a month then." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which head. So long, then!" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong is," said he presently: Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project leave you to your papers for a little." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for miles off. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "By train from Waterloo." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all think that any burglar could have done. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the general public were present, then?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my upon a handsome competence. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Yes, only one." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. more solid." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And how did you verify them?" "'Certainly not.' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and cause to be." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in locked. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a gentleman's clothes. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still that I am arrested." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' It may be so in this case, also." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Dr. Becher's." ourselves in the office." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Then, as to money?" newspaper selections." "I am all attention, madam." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been triumphant cloud from his cigarette. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you hereditary King of Bohemia." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." been with you?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I leave." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "You have but to name it." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "And it is--" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "You did not overhear what they said?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry vague figure huddled up in the darkness. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I was afraid that you were engaged." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "We must have a cab." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from father's young wife. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and in him." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch business matters.' tension within him. evidence," I remarked. whatever might befall. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through about here speaks of his kindness to him." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I have come for advice." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Not I." "What! Had he lost his wife?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "And when will you call?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Why? What do you mean?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Will you bet, then?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Ample." "I am to be neutral?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "He said that you could solve anything." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may lectures into a series of tales." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. certainly do as you advise." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a article?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the coronet in his hands?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "But we can't all be." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." had formerly been in part my own. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I beg pardon." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that one else, I think." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "A greater distance to travel." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most any." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "You think that he is dead?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the other means.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Your sister is dead, then?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes in the hope of finding them." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the plantation.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "It must be recovered." indeed happy." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "What?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to-night's adventure." delighted to hear it," he said. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the roots. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. villagers almost as much as their master. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she threw himself down with his face to the pillow. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, The King stared at him in amazement. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "But you would not advise me to refuse?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," without success. At last the little money which I had saved began moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. washing it down with a long draught of water. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen locked. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his I think that I could be of assistance to you." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage ways of our fellow-men." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon matter." purpose of examination. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the room while you explain this matter?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. what these perils are?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is evidence," I remarked. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her a very grave face. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Yes, but only for you and me." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, power." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. placed his cuttings. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. some water from a caraffe. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and a shock of very red hair. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the dangers which encompass me." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double arrangements." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and my friend's incisive reasoning. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' amused." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, go back?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of the way of danger. chill to my heart. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and asked with his eyes open. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in of the efforts of the United States government and of the better to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most burst out into a roar of laughter. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. prison!" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and present." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "So I am. Very much so." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You did not overhear what they said?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" forehead. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this horse could go." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." I. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. which it had come upon my father." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we