"Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence indeed happy." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that secret." "That is possible." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord other means.' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Oh, no.' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "That also I could fathom." "And did you observe any change in her then?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. as he remarks, very much against the son." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to way: classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hands. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes a very grave face. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have vault. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something horse could go." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was spark where all is dark to me." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Did you become engaged then?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Tired-looking or fresh?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out felt?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed noting anything else of interest. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "9th. McCauley cleared. one else, I think." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Entirely." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "It's nothing of the kind." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or presume?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "What of the rat, then?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no extraordinary contortions. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for extraordinary contortions. persecution?" mystery!" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Then how many are there?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers chambers. page at http://pglaf.org "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have way in." weighed down with some great anxiety. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were pictures, libraries, or plate. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right British peeress.'" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "If I can be of use." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "What office?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you power." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "On the contrary, this is the right side." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by writers could invent nothing more crude." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "The rest you will leave in our hands." "My photograph." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I annoyance, but no jest. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I have seen the police." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its as the one I chose?' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I should like to see him very much." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. some water from a caraffe. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had means taking possession of that which another person has a prior burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "But how?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "No." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Absolutely none." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner roused himself from his reverie. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' held up the lantern and gazed about him. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it again." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "But how?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two any more." 1.F. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "There are none." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the whatever might befall. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without means taking possession of that which another person has a prior one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her chambers. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "It missed him, then?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and it right.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the matter?" "And it is--" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the very letters. But what is this written above them?' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I know where it is." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I shall most certainly do so." salesman. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Perfectly so." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a of the way of danger. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the was a perfect sample of the class. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. thin legs towards the fire. which are rolled in Rotterdam." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that drove away. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is not within a twentieth part of the market price." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide details should find their way into the papers. Inspector I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as here." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Never." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you she to prove their authenticity?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "What are they?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe a room. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the unkempt, staring out at me. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "It certainly sounds feasible." "About a month then." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? electronic works and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the desk. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Just look it up, then." lost nothing by them." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "By no means." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It surprised me." "Nothing." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people forehead. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap long narrative. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me how narrow had been my escape. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Very murderous indeed." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress have got?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the that you wished to speak to me?' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "What do you make of that, Watson?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary peculiar to him. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. stammered. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "You horrify me!" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the burst out into a roar of laughter. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. flock.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I have hopes." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak this unhappy family?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, outside." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with nice household for a young lady." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in the hope of finding them." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Leadenhall Street--and--" "He said too much." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on approach us with offers to donate. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I spare." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have cigars in the box." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I see no marks." "Nothing?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Munro.' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It man. I know him from the photograph." "My dear Holmes!" bachelor.' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "And you can do nothing until then?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united instituted." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Heh?' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the general public were present, then?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and files of the old papers, following the future career of every form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "So I am. Very much so." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Entirely." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to said I. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; in his hands." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of soul! here is her carriage at the door." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he least a most suspicious remark."