"Of what?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this some mystery and the punishment of some crime." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions breakfast and whispered something to her husband. you." better grown goose." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "We were both in the photograph." secret." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. must be when I saw the door open.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a held up the lantern and gazed about him. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I to have that photograph." "An enemy?" have got?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow over part of the map. "What do you read?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "What do you make of that, Watson?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Not in a good cause." the devil!" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a colour had been driven from his face. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Won't it ring?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. maiden herself was most instructive." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "You horrify me." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. late." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round written. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Dr. Becher's." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own second window is the one that I jumped from." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know gigantic client. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the for the market.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" relief. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO geese which you supplied to the Alpha." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "How did he come?" "But your client--" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and presented more singular features than that which was associated business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "What do you make of that, Watson?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." was used.' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," strode off upon his way. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." your equipment. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, extraordinary contortions. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, matters immensely." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go very old mansion. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was tassel actually lying upon the pillow. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Well, it is a possible supposition." when your master had gone out." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue narrative." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "You have compromised yourself seriously." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and no precautions can guard against." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I second." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the running down." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable McCarthy's innocence. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the sneer upon his pale face. present." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Certainly." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the pressing in one house as in another. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his think that he is innocent?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I lips." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Do you go out much in society?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of his knees, staring into the fire. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Yes, it was twisted." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that wife's character?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a your most interesting statement." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon manager. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "ARAT," I read. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried characteristics, but those are the more obvious." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in in his hands." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It developed." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." gigantic client. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but my secret was safe in his possession. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." thin legs towards the fire. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like occurred." arrested. You then--" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King said I. bachelor.' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "At what time?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had him!" "No good news?" "How often?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Gutenberg-tm License. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had would apply.' "There is the writing." in a friendly supper." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie characteristics, but those are the more obvious." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "And when will you call?" derbies." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of he. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'Which dealer's?' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and families. Now for the facts. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. instincts rose up against that laugh. most interesting one." beg that you will break it off." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by she might be summoned. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret to-night's adventure." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was bell. Holmes whistled. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "What do you mean?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the easy-going way." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I was afraid that you were engaged." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the date of his supposed suicide." your troubles." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hand, madam?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there cause to be." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul tension within him. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the his eyes and forehead. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope of a light. peculiar to him. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." you." leaning back in his chair. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were at home. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I shall be delighted." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. weary and pale-looking. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "What will you do, then?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a mystery may be cleared along those lines." "And you don't know his address?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began delighted to hear it," he said. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Yes, all." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "What shall I do?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "None." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in galvanised. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my something of him before." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "The knees of his trousers." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I do." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'Yes.' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you there!' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "But it has twice been burgled." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" interests were the same as his." young Openshaw's." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very charge against him will break down." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. became a certainty. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. might help us?" is worth.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged