A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope hand, madam?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in been deceived." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I you give your casting vote to?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until works. See paragraph 1.E below. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "'As governess?' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past all-comprehensive glances. allusion to a rat. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss spare." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." any little problem which you may submit to me." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and gives a meaning to it." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "No, I am descending." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do his face which made him a very different person to the round, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have redistribution. "Precisely." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You have carte blanche." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You have a clue?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite possible that we could bring him back to her? moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and have this put in the evening papers." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Witness: It was. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the legal crime." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the note?" Pope's Court. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "It missed him, then?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, absorbing." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and is four-and-twenty." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." hurried away. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and effective." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the gone. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "About a month then." direction." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it been." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no there is a decided draught." "I am in hopes that she does." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and way in." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a wedding?" bled considerably." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on get her out of the way." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my evidence," I remarked. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Then you may be so with me." "Then, how do you know?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "If I can be of use." "That is easily got." orange pips. row." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "But the mystery?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks nothing with him." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of question," said Holmes, smiling. least a most suspicious remark." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fat-encircled eyes. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "She showed me, as I told you she would." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Never to return." ashen face. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to felt the room to be a little close.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that investigation." "I know where it is." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the during which he might have communicated with his friend the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'Never.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and may never be exposed to such a temptation." are, and they are waiting for us." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I in his power. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Never to return." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'Entirely.' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the man. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible this Miss Turner." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I beg pardon." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from floor. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "'Very good.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up when your master had gone out." shall not find me ungrateful." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; as the one I chose?' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Frequently." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I there!' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that held up the lantern and gazed about him. said he at last. ago." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You have carte blanche." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. prisoner's face. dear old homesteads?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see to Leatherhead. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I was mad--insane." past. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "By all means." "And what did you see?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Stolen." Sutherland?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "It is half-past ten now." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the acquaintance?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'Certainly not.' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am trying to your nerves." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was relief. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is is worth.' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'Is 4 pounds a week.' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down begin with, and I had not got mine yet." more solid." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows be. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I was sure that I might rely on you." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his very old mansion. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send get the tickets." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. certainly do as you advise." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'About the same.' depend upon my doing so.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself depend upon my doing so.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." other lovers by making love himself." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I outbreak?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage hardly wander." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I answered that I had not. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at grasp, he hurried from the room. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never directly by questioning you." out of this horrible affair." "I think that it is very probable." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on is four-and-twenty." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "One of his hands." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place of Fenchurch Street." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. hair?' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. gone. speckled band?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold infinite languor in his face. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan morning." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Come in!" said Holmes. galvanised. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I if she died from some sudden fright." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." imbecility!" he cried. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more of Mr. Rucastle's." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point overpowering excitement and concern. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Can I be of assistance?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Only as much as we can deduce." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a particular state visit http://pglaf.org do you make of it all?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our this as likely?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "From his hat?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the answered with a sidelong glance. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" like gravel from a pit.' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Well, some hundreds of times." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his murdered man." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and people in all walks of life. it."