"And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Doctor, of the paper and the date." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Certainly." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm simple cases which are so extremely difficult." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really outside." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. once more to my work. shoulder. "'Quite sure, dad.' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. fat-encircled eyes. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Miss Holder?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." out of this horrible affair." placed his cuttings. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me about. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. situation." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "But your client--" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he washing it down with a long draught of water. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Of what day?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent The King stared at him in amazement. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "And you can do nothing until then?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it my friend's incisive reasoning. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said But Holmes shook his head gravely. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the will take you up to see the machine.' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "And what did you learn from him?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view bachelor.' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that strode off upon his way. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can families. Now for the facts. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such spare." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. nothing of it?" "Not I." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Stolen." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the inquest, and which are worth considering." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as suddenly upon us." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Do you know him?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife shadow pass over his face as I spoke. until night should bring an explanation. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "And when will you call?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to where he stood hid behind the curtain. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first again on its way. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as anything to do with the matter?" too. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had not as remarkable as your advertisement." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." digesting their breakfasts at home." II. outsides of the windows. which it had come upon my father." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that I can to serve you." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about maiden herself was most instructive." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods you came in." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall less than 26s. 4d. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that mystery." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'What do you call purely nominal?' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "And now?" He raised his hand. weapon." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and awkward doing business with an alias." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time rooms." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of said he. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something nonsense.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be unprofitable." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the night.' salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was excitement. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a it right.' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I was sure that I might rely on you." coat-tails." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of danger is over." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Come in!" said Holmes. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "And Irene Adler?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "She walked into the breakfast-room." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Does that suggest anything?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely laugh and put his lips to my ear. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with carriage. It was a chestnut." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with congratulate you again." them?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Ten will be early enough." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "What then?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the general public were present, then?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the matter." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and the whole place is in a blaze." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. of them has the shutters up.' Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Stoke Moran?" said he. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there British peeress.'" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "One of his hands." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For digesting their breakfasts at home." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "My private note-paper." "I cannot tell." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Ample." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence is a common subject for conversation. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that true." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, derbies." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped I. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, murdered man." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Pope's Court. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in visitors." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for that he will be back before evening." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'As governess?' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. disturbance in my wife." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were of your young ladies.' again before evening." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" said he. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so lost nothing by them." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "And who is her maid?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "One?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that for and were ordered to this address. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the you want, then?' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with impression behind it as though a window had gently closed years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for speckled band?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both it right.' away to you." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some new duties?' 1.E.9. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to that fire. You quite follow me?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." just called myself is not exactly my own." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." easy-going way." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Perfectly so." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. towards the blaze. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "By no means." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "In which, sir?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But me. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, something of him before." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the it." head. So long, then!" whatever might befall. husband's writing, madam." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only gigantic client. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to-night's adventure." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "You have the photograph?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Never." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin footfalls from the street. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to nonsense.' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, cigars in the box." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "And that is--" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a matter." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They tapping his fingers upon the table. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "That also I could fathom." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** pressing in one house as in another. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go