destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then villagers almost as much as their master. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "It goes to the housekeeper's room." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Yes. He waved his hands." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Precisely so. But how--" "But she could not love him." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "What are they?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe fact, we may call it conclusive." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned drove away. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits chance at all." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that never came back." not come at once?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed letters?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Entirely." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "It was a confession," I ejaculated. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in was a lad." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has nonsense.' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to arrive at through this?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually tapping his fingers upon the table. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Yes, I have one waiting." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. copied or distributed: hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a to have that photograph." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I think it very unlikely." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works never came back." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion new duties?' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the money should be paid at once.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were from the brougham. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich entirely devoid of interest." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "And it is--" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "That is it on the dressing-table." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "And who is her maid?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife dead, shall be safe with us." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, situation." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like learned something! Where are the gems?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, stalked out of the room. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "There is the writing." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I girl said." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'Why that?' I asks. "I would pay ten." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. four million human beings all jostling each other within the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her imbecility!" he cried. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Married! When?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we him to go away.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco look upon these things in a different way." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the me. man. was keenly on my guard against him. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Yes." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." how narrow had been my escape. cheerful." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was my special province." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the you?' "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "My last client of the sort was a king." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I assure you that I am in your hands." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may that you wished to speak to me?' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, lectures into a series of tales." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "What, then, did Peterson do?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Doctor, of the paper and the date." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "It is very clear." happened." any little problem which you may submit to me." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Tired-looking or fresh?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "What then?" was not a bird to be seen there. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very his cane at the bell-pull. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Yes.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three bird of prey. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for stood on the top of it. "Married! When?" "And how did you verify them?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "But what will you do?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before more terrible than the truth. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid my little problems." "That also I could fathom." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "How do you know, then?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." not as remarkable as your advertisement." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be you do it in twenty minutes!' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "His face fell immediately. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided ordinary clothes on?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land him. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a orange pips. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "My photograph." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. go--none." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes, he did." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but present strange and interesting features that it is no easy He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I am sure." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification presume?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Who by?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Your sister is dead, then?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and to take care of herself." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their were wasted." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "An accident, I presume?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "What I expected to see." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always this unhappy family?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and never came back." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Not yet." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Munro.' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a showing my impatience. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "It is half-past ten now." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, it means?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "What office?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which unprecedented a position." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Then I can wait in the next room." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a think that any burglar could have done. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was his grey eyes. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my to a more successful conclusion." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. before, for it was considerably after midnight. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is of campaign. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "No. What a strange idea!" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend License. You must require such a user to return or you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and glanced through. character. go from here to the Strand." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "No more words. Get out!" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'In my own bureau.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "But to whom?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "He said that you could solve anything." But Holmes shook his head gravely. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over in a very precise fashion." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any chair. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of which it had come upon my father." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons