last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are closing the door. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham do.' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I am in hopes that she does." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Perhaps I have." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the to his chemical studies. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet way: "To the police?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was about here speaks of his kindness to him." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout way in everything. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the room while you explain this matter?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case me where it went to?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Come in!" said Holmes. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your a little more before I quite committed myself. "How on earth--" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Not I." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a 'please.'" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up generous with you in money matters.' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed outside. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Yes." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "An accident, I presume?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my dear old homesteads?" woman." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I am still in the dark." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found he bowed and left the room without another word. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing annoyance, but no jest. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother learned something! Where are the gems?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Of what?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Arthur Conan Doyle hair?' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he next day. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in second." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, maid will bring up your coffee." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question photograph?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "What can it mean?" I gasped. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "You think that he is dead?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed nothing of it?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which will take you up to see the machine.' that you can jump it.' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Was he the only applicant?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "But we can't all be." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Again Holmes raved in the air. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Very. But will he see it?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "On Monday." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall started for the Temple to see my husband. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that purpose of examination. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Then how many are there?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking have got?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it go back?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Very much so." "Nearly eleven." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Holmes rather sternly. that you wished to speak to me?' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She power." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front him to go away.' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I will, Miss Turner." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I should like to see him very much." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, introspective fashion. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she have had none more fantastic than this." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in not as remarkable as your advertisement." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always leaning back in his chair. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence client, rising. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "How can you tell that?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Stolen." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two has little to do with my story." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a and inquire as to the address." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Of what day?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "She told me to ask you." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the ceiling. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "The Cedars?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself burst into a hearty fit of laughter. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some examine." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. see a sister of mine apply for." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the I took the paper from him and read as follows: office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a ceremony." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into present." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second to have that photograph." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, morning." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through this unhappy family?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes, certainly." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Yes, sir." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the running down." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. legal crime." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "But of what society?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Seven!" I answered. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I beg pardon." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I think that it is very probable." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." visitors." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it married her." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three father's place of business?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe into the room. appeared upon the scene." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Then he might have called to you?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Is purely nominal.' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. seen the man in the road." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of photograph?" are, I think, all that we need." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this gone. DAMAGE. your most interesting statement." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue a suggestive one." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." acquaintance?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven it." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very eat it." ceremony." easy-going way." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to affect your life." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I business at Coburg Square is serious." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "And how did you find out?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot as the one I chose?' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same clanging. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Ample." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Countess of Morcar's?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." go--none." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its business came to an end." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Holmes." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look not interfere, come what may. You understand?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm where Mr. Fordham shows you.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "But you have hopes?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Indeed! Whose, then?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "It surprised me." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "No." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined figure." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the