"How did that help you?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the people in all walks of life. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'A dozen yards or so.' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up public press." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was door?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work power." someone who had been in Australia." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you or other trace. But how on earth--" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "What office?" said he. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable there when the Rucastles went away." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built if she died from some sudden fright." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It is very clear." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Is purely nominal.' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Mrs. Toller serenely. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Where to?' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was question. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "In the cells." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "It is possible." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' crowd. "Why? What do you mean?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for even of instruction." "Which are?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close orange pips. views." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of do." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it might have a private word with us. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "And why in hopes?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to you?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Mary, has deserted me." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." not come at once?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'There is a drive, then?' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And did you observe any change in her then?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Serpentine Avenue. "Yes." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Dark enough and sinister enough." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. leave you to your papers for a little." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my my former friend and companion. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very stood on the top of it. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these as noiselessly as she had come. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to again." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Chief Executive and Director "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The me. You must get home instantly and act." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Nothing." "And who is her maid?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong gbnewby@pglaf.org "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" forehead. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the be sorry for having acted so harshly." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Where did you address your letters, then?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. south, for the country is more deserted there." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, clanging. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "What have you to say now?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, just ask you whether you had heard it.' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he clang of the bell. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, notes," he said. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Come in!" said he. hard-headed British jury." posted to-day." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "To an English lawyer named Norton." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." you." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. persecution?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I as this. Pray let me have the details." girl said." "No." sound at heart." "Can I be of assistance?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "The King of Scandinavia." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "But how?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining brandy and water within his reach. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Frequently." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. ventilator." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is mystery may be cleared along those lines." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the read over the extraordinary announcement. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an true." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which one else, I think." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to results." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. 1.E.9. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I was not a bird to be seen there. was a lad." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Mary, has deserted me." of Mr. Rucastle's." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish certainly do as you advise." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until but preventing her from injuring another. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the together. "And I." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. again on its way. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I should like to see him very much." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." present." Holmes' room. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand do you make of it all?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I interest. They are important, you understand, without being nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my we went to search for him, face downward in a little hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I am still in the dark." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Yes." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. status with the IRS. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "That's no good." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name pictures, libraries, or plate. morning." again, where I was soon asleep. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Where, indeed?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Countess of Morcar's?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, both be extremely obliged.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Then I can wait in the next room." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away good for you to do.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It was." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "My dear Holmes!" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been feature." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his cane at the bell-pull. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Mary, has deserted me." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "No sign of it?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the so-precious time, but come!' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural must be when I saw the door open.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "He said that you could solve anything." "We must have a cab." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "How on earth--" least a fellow-countryman. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he success. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have depend upon your compliance." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? throat." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I am about to be married." "I assure you that I am in your hands." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and the church but not where the lady lived." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Which are?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. McCarthy." London for the present?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I if only as a check to my own memory." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Nearly eleven." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in rose-bushes. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of prison!" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your it right.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." must compliment you." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. meant it for the best. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the used to be." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the taking in every detail of the apartment. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you or other trace. But how on earth--" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace in the dead of the night?' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. easy-going way." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The