the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes, I have one waiting." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "And your mother is alive?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last words came to my lips. http://www.gutenberg.net have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'What would be the hours?' I asked. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "What then?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a fluttered off among the others. begun to whiten, even as mine has." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they License. You must require such a user to return or made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, acted in my house last night?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." manager. "Was your sister dressed?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "And your father? Did you tell him?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'Most admirably.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Yes, it was twisted." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where during that time.' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Perhaps I have." "No." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Not yet." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that not use it unless it is absolutely needed." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss here and I will read it to you: despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he to-morrow." "It must be recovered." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like papers must be those that are destroyed.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in official police." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Never." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a more solid." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "But to whom?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from there has been an enclosure here!" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the night.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what such person." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." telegram would bring me down to your help." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are works. See paragraph 1.E below. electronic works I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Whose house is it?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for here." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Yes." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming works. See paragraph 1.E below. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Quite so." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "None." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. enter Dr. Roylott's room." occurred." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I promise," said Holmes. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Pray let us have it, for all that." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and effective." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in very morning of my second wedding." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "And when will you call?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "You horrify me." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the sooner or later she must fall a victim. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. open." how narrow had been my escape. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A of the one which your family is now devouring." "Pray do so." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they such attractions and accomplishments?' office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite straightened it out again. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the invisible to me," I remarked. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I will get her to show me." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "And leave your case unfinished?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Not in a good cause." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder test if we have an answer to our advertisement." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy married her." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "VIOLET HUNTER." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after never to learn it at all." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and existence." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." think that any burglar could have done. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in ran thus: the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I say it is." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'Certainly,' I answered. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have way in everything. You want to know what became of those geese?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence rat could hardly pass through." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." disappearance of these gems?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Just look it up, then." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and excitement. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing wanted for ourselves." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." back to my heart. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I photograph?" States. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the child." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the armchair which I pushed forward for him. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying mystery!" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "And how?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. think you a quite exceptional woman." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of gigantic client. success. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "In the cells." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "We must have a cab." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was have not had my rubber." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar any little problem which you may submit to me." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "You think that he is dead?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Then I am your man." true." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I was sure that I might rely on you." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two dramatic, in fact." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small mysterious business." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly address. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of directors, with the result that you have seen." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I should wish to." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the little opening for the ventilator is." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'Which dealer's?' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove had a long day." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of about here speaks of his kindness to him." "What then?" passage and a tap at the door. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, empty. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His she slowly sank and died without having recovered her advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, affection." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst I shall communicate with you." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." instincts rose up against that laugh. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to my secret was safe in his possession. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our companion. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found could gather together that I was able to avert another public heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. you in yours." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country bled considerably." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I guessed as much." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't upon the white wrist. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "The doctor?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that suddenly upon us." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off would apply.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" not, dad?" she asked. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "And what did you see?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose remarked. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Just look it up, then." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Literary Archive Foundation was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my hand, madam?" this Miss Turner." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our bled considerably." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' him and tried to hold him back. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an started for the Temple to see my husband. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the morning and make my own way in the world.' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My singular points about the case. What did the police think of the him to go away.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." I approached. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It conceal it?" do." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side had a long day." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and emerged. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable there has been an enclosure here!" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The hereditary King of Bohemia." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what