"All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be had no one to advise her at such a crisis." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with way in." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "His face fell immediately. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." indeed happy." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It case-book, which he consulted. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the returned to France?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'What do you call purely nominal?' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us of the way of danger. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It may not come to that," said Holmes. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "But I am all in the dark." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "The best possible." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the you." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of receipt of the work. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly guilty parties." this poor creature." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a province." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the papers on the sundial.'" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his is four-and-twenty." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon conceal it?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not leave you to your papers for a little." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for October 9, 1890. o'clock is it?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips cup of tea. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the father's young wife. "It is very kind of you." walking." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable to have been novel and of interest." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return me have 200 pounds?' "The Cedars?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." other, as fresh and trim as possible. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel have been better. It is all right." remarked. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "How do you know, then?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see most interesting one." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in ourselves in the office." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the stable lane now." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I cannot tell." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "What, then, did Peterson do?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his too. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great not come at once?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. affair. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are derbies." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "It is solved." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, chance at all." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice get her out of the way." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the some water from a caraffe. depend upon my doing so.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the fluttered off among the others. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the little opening for the ventilator is." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly them?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had had no one to advise her at such a crisis." himself to hunt down. "And that is--" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "He slept on the premises." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with for the market.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Stoke Moran." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of desk. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and distinguish the words: "And what then?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had you understand?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the dear old homesteads?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Upon what point?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is might have a private word with us. golden eyeglasses. off." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. possible that we could bring him back to her? you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "What office?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the outside." occurred." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we His smile broadened. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a she used." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Then you may be so with me." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. lips." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. were new raised from a basin. letters?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The delirious. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your go from here to the Strand." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "By all means." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "A call for help, you thought?" of receipt of the work. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter conversation I have gathered that they have been married about eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The decline of his fortunes, then?" my secret was safe in his possession. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As crime. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "There is the writing." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." astonishment. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue in his power. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a writer." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "And now?" He raised his hand. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the possible that we could bring him back to her? "I see many objections to any such theory." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some question," said Holmes, smiling. "I am following you closely," I answered. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated had no one to advise her at such a crisis." opportunities to fix the problem. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Then I shall certainly come." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been my former friend and companion. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if hardly wander." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. minor matters until to-morrow." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. is worth.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking not use it unless it is absolutely needed." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Will you go?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You are all wrong." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do matters immensely." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is there is a decided draught." if she died from some sudden fright." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "The rest you will leave in our hands." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to detained." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and giving me time to thank him. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of coroner's jury." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I saw her in conversation with her maid." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they of the efforts of the United States government and of the better face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted made his money." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider at home. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that to me. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads to his chemical studies. how narrow had been my escape. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set British peeress.'" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is in the port of London." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become papers diligently of late, have you not?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, next day. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small what do you think they found in the pockets?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from rooms." four million human beings all jostling each other within the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Do you go out much in society?"