to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between have I gained?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Texas, I think." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" you understand?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Has he come with you to-night?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and was not a bird to be seen there. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of his huge brown hands. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "To ruin me." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Entirely.' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Yesterday." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw not, dad?" she asked. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "And from a noble client?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I have a cab outside." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "There are none." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming see me here to avoid scandal." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Tell me all about it,' said I. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Only as much as we can deduce." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, your bag." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Was there a secret marriage?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Yes?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "No bad?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the purpose of examination. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Proceed, then." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the it." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Only as much as we can deduce." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "But his left-handedness." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "In what way?" asked Holmes. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "9th. McCauley cleared. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "And the cigar-holder?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "And on what day did he meet his death?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which behind me. His smile broadened. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on unclasping of his long thin hands. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. made him keep the appointment." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she other means.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered mysterious business." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to note?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Not in the least." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to points in connection with it which never have been, and probably visitors." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'Yes, sir.' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." obstinate." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "And what then?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence where Mr. Fordham shows you.' them, and came down just as you departed. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the better in every way that they should make their position a little that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger do." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the beg that you will break it off." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I have solved it." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my be sorry for having acted so harshly." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "What shall I do?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "It is a murder, then?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's relation between them, and what the object of his repeated with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little little adventures." was it brought him the coronet? he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Which dealer's?' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I held the little printed slip to the light. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for you do it in twenty minutes!' "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "If I can be of use." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an present." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what pressing in one house as in another. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is this unhappy family?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'Certainly,' I answered. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and are windows in it, of course?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was walking." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I will not look." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I have seen the police." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have writers could invent nothing more crude." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a developed." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when was already answered. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more ready to-morrow?' "Yesterday." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yes, he did." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Miss Holder?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" suddenly upon us." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'I shall certainly be there.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders about. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about back to my heart. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "At what time?" "I answered that I had not. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" she used." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'What, the red-headed man?' compunction about shooting them down." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the empty. later, upon the night of May 2nd." is worth.' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Perhaps I have." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable papers must be those that are destroyed.' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "And the murderer?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and it." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "We must have a cab." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Perhaps I have." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I golden eyeglasses. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at father's place of business?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "In San Francisco, a year ago." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to straightened it out again. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did to have been novel and of interest." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Very good.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, window when the police appeared." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Entirely." "What can it mean?" I gasped. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old already referred to. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I strong reason behind." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Yes." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It really the only notable feature about the thing." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick side. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'A dozen yards or so.' "Yes, I have one waiting." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "My private note-paper." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Of what?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, wife's character?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, green of the new foliage. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Holmes, the busybody!" that I can to serve you." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white other, as fresh and trim as possible. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, in the port of London." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and if I call to-morrow?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "It's nothing of the kind." to-night?' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It's nothing of the kind." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the my former friend and companion. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, acquaintance?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I fasten all the windows?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the third from London." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I guessed as much." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the be best to do. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into October 9, 1890.