Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Nearly eleven." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' investigation." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. not as remarkable as your advertisement." leaning back in his chair. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Who by?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This knowledge of the world." "Will you bet, then?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, be sorry for having acted so harshly." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Pope's Court, Fleet Street." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you you in yours." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "And the cigar-holder?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right forebodings. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You think so, too?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." excitement. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the address that was given us in the advertisement. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. less than 26s. 4d. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the purpose of examination. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I have my revolver," said I. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No. What a strange idea!" little adventures." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that fat-encircled eyes. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Frequently." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "How can you tell that?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get digesting their breakfasts at home." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Where, indeed?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir noble correspondent could be. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a just called myself is not exactly my own." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and is now desirous of getting those letters back." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Holmes' face clouded over. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But speckled band?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "In what way?" asked Holmes. time." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture strange features which were associated with the two crimes which morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. shall not find me ungrateful." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." woman." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my as he remarks, very much against the son." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." go--none." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "His face fell immediately. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, felt?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go my secret was safe in his possession. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I charged with?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' there is a decided draught." are, I think, all that we need." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. colour had been driven from his face. "Yes." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this returning from some small jollification and was making his way brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled himself to tell his story. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at late." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." fear." tell them apart.' fat-encircled eyes. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Where is it, then?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Nor running a chance of arrest?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he over here." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we must be when I saw the door open.' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I have a cab outside." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no main points of my analysis." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to which it had come upon my father." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "What then?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes main points of my analysis." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'Why that?' I asks. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "What have you to say now?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Yes, it was twisted." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I have come for advice." Countess of Morcar's?" "'Yes.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small been shamefully used." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout more terrible than the truth. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." miles off. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "And it is--" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood what these perils are?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "In San Francisco, a year ago." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us into the bag, and made for the door. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have like that before?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of this gang." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked will not take me long to tell. late." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "None. Neville wrote those words." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Now, then, what's the last entry?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their records." returned to France?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "How did he come?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat be best to do. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before simple cases which are so extremely difficult." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while straightened it out again. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, evidence," I remarked. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the It may be so in this case, also." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared extraordinary contortions. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal leaning back in his chair. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be or in danger--" Pool. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, against a man in the prime of life?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." when you have done it." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. was not a bird to be seen there. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy of." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp that?' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the morning." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was a lad." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Was he the only applicant?" fait accompli?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "In which, sir?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are following enigmatical notices: "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "How many? I don't know." "And why?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him pound a week." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the with frightened eyes at his accuser. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court then?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable results." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Literary Archive Foundation would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock to a more successful conclusion." matters immensely." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I am still in the dark." was not a bird to be seen there. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, walking." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing