fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "My own seal." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what were unconscious?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It certainly sounds feasible." second." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist it." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to take care of herself." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an several quiet little villages up there." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and closing the door. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "It is half-past ten now." my room." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' entirely lost his self-respect." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it your only hope of safety." "And I to find an enemy." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in narrative." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The dramatic, in fact." room. when you have done it." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to his huge brown hands. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Then, how do you know?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to be best to do. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "But who is he?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I have come for advice." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two been shamefully used." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "But you can know nothing of this?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the child?' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the bird I ate is country bred." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Imitated." "We were both in the photograph." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Proceed, then." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, hardly wander." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Thank you. Pray proceed." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Stolen!' he cried. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and carriage. It was a chestnut." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for depend upon my doing so.' towards the blaze. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening have not had my rubber." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at criminal. We have already had experience of such." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and have this put in the evening papers." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." like that before?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, should be so warm over such a trifle." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when our word." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" good for you to do.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "It certainly sounds feasible." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "And when will you call?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "But the mystery?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' when you have done it." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Then I do not see the point." "Certainly." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her intimate personal affairs in this public manner." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to shall use the carriage to-night." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty away in different directions, and I went off to make my own foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the sooner or later she must fall a victim. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable yards of it?' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I fear not." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the gbnewby@pglaf.org London for the present?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Did you observe the colour?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to in my life." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white fattened it expressly for you.' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "His face fell immediately. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the man. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. footfalls from the street. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has of this gang." to me. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You four million human beings all jostling each other within the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "What then?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the bed, and you in that chair." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would His name is Francis Prosper." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Yes." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the imbecility!" he cried. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "In San Francisco, a year ago." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a heavily into it. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." in his hands." you give your casting vote to?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I have been better. It is all right." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "In San Francisco, a year ago." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I acquaintance?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I promise," said Holmes. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "We were both in the photograph." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." in the port of London." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the lips." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "That is possible." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet have had none more fantastic than this." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the of a light. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a if she died from some sudden fright." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "And how in the world did you find them?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the points to suicide?" out." "So I have heard." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. depend upon your compliance." row." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I gone before you can get him to hospital." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Then how many are there?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would outside." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United nights." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "None." "But of what society?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Yes, at the mines." man. I know him from the photograph." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to charge against him will break down." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should strode off upon his way. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "It is solved." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. to tell." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be not as remarkable as your advertisement." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing my room." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his money should be paid at once.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Never to return." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when what I may call a really hard day's work." "'Most admirably.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the get her out of the way." nonsense.' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" something of him before." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not ourselves in the office." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an away into the river." ran thus: his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so served to weaken the effect. "Dirty?" least a fellow-countryman. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a yourselves in at night?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is himself in a perplexing position. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "But she will refuse." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "She told me to ask you." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she