and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able even of instruction." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Arthur Conan Doyle "Yes, the wine-cellar." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Heh?' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, foresight and the moral retrogression?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to surprise her." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be 1.F. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every answer." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform once more. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one touch that coronet?' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would very morning of my second wedding." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is vault. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his throat." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and redistribution. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Is 4 pounds a week.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned in my life." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, know that the truth is known." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There wedding?" tightly behind him. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and trying to your nerves." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'I am sure if I had known--' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the least a fellow-countryman. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who in. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And I." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "To ruin me." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an take the flies, but not before." point in the dark hollow of his hand. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the recover the gem." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the II. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and noting anything else of interest. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing could gather together that I was able to avert another public he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I upon a handsome competence. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had confronted him. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' villagers almost as much as their master. "I beg pardon." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate newspaper selections." to affect your life." his grey eyes. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if him and tried to hold him back. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon said he. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Pool. became a certainty. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings money should be paid at once.' mystery." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in furiously. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of certainly do as you advise." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to tell." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward words came to my lips. "His face fell immediately. other, as fresh and trim as possible. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The summons was a brief and urgent one. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that matters immensely." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly business." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of your young ladies.' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of introspective fashion. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "You are certainly joking, Holmes." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "A confidential servant?" indeed which he could not unravel. who was a member of your goose club." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding detained." pictures, libraries, or plate. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "But who is he?" "'And the work?' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. thin legs towards the fire. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the look dissatisfied." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly most interesting one." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and your relations to her." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the nothing of it?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you everything which you would wish to know." in him." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and habit of advancing money.' acquaintance?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more himself to hunt down. were unconscious?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Nothing?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into have had none more fantastic than this." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Precisely so. But how--" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is to you." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "None." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Arthur Conan Doyle giving me time to thank him. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Your sister is dead, then?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where conceal it?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Stolen!' he cried. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming floor. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "And your mother is alive?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a at my own good fortune. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion goes." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon emerged. Arthur Conan Doyle about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with look upon these things in a different way." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "You are all wrong." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." certainly do as you advise." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I was afraid that you were engaged." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'What, the red-headed man?' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Thank you. Pray proceed." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Your French gold?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project money should be paid at once.' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a again before evening." "I have my revolver," said I. the salesman. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. quickly through a disagreeable task. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "What, then?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your arms and began to sob in a high treble key. present." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the served to weaken the effect. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that feature." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a works. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and your relations to her." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of problems help me to do so." "Certainly, madam." at my own good fortune. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of weary and pale-looking. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and that he would see to anything that turned up. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to His name is Francis Prosper." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Have you her photograph?" "Bought." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most together. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before have one." salesman. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the tell me that you intended to go into harness." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this away into the river." was already answered. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I think it very unlikely." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Lestrade of Scotland Yard." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this opened a pocket-book and took out a note. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile IS lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. fashion which was peculiar to him. him to be an active member of the medical profession." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Has he come with you to-night?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The rest you will leave in our hands." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ American. Then who could this American be, and why should he of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "What! Had he lost his wife?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. constraint." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and photograph a cabinet?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a said Mr. Holder. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. had picked up in the wood. round and wave him away like that.' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to be best to do. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "But how did you gain them?" points to suicide?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I think that I had better go, Holmes." was lame." "I say it is." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who furiously. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Yes, I have one waiting." Stoke Moran." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I foresight and the moral retrogression?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of late!' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to tied." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and the church but not where the lady lived." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "He disappeared so suddenly." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and the whole place is in a blaze." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that