"'I am sure that I do not know.' eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the address that was given us in the advertisement. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "And why?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your success. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar disappearance of the bride.'" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Ten to two.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I answered that I had not. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and that he would see to anything that turned up. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press gigantic client. his knees, staring into the fire. over part of the map. "What do you read?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." ventilator." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Married! When?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right strange features which were associated with the two crimes which The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "You are all wrong." "I promise," said Holmes. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I fear not." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" DAMAGE. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several pictures, libraries, or plate. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "And I say east," said my patient. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in License. You must require such a user to return or bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting allusion to a rat. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Do you go out much in society?" "But what will you do?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, she used." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to that open window." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the there has been an enclosure here!" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing definite end. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Cross for the Continent." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to became a certainty. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with undoubtedly my uncle's." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have new acquaintance to Baker Street. Farm upon the left." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "But what harm can there be in that?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end not come at once?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. hair?' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel flock.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. tension within him. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is assist you in forming an opinion." "My dear Holmes!" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that bonnet, and went out." "I don't say that. Perhaps." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I was sure that I might rely on you." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick intimate personal affairs in this public manner." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of ago." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." ordinary clothes on?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information washing it down with a long draught of water. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. views." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the date of his supposed suicide." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time I nodded to show that I had heard. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "What will you say?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had such person." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a matter." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to derbies." rose-bushes. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. unkempt, staring out at me. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery noble correspondent could be. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Holmes' thin, eager face. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Yes, it would be as well." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Nothing?" "Not yet." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was eat it." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for with frightened eyes at his accuser. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy weighed down with some great anxiety. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per are, I think, all that we need." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the clanging. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great threw himself down with his face to the pillow. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my hurried away. answer." out." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. happened." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fait accompli?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and cigars in the box." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, I think that I could be of assistance to you." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "But how will you look?" "Yes." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, certainly not very gracious." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing pressing in one house as in another. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose ourselves in the office." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my with you alone." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Not I." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's at once, for I have only half an hour." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets means taking possession of that which another person has a prior deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been your co-operation." "Then, how do you know?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally hurried away. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "And why in hopes?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a already been minutely examined." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the own family. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "What steps will you take?" I asked. "But the mystery?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. certainly not very gracious." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this know that the truth is known." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off noting anything else of interest. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the nothing with him." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. lost nothing by them." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "No, thank goodness, she did not." asked with his eyes open. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we been lifted and conveyed somewhere." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her You want to know what became of those geese?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I was certainly surprised to find you there." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of him to be an active member of the medical profession." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Was there a secret marriage?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a him!" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope gentleman's clothes. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, charge against him will break down." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets sit on the left-hand side of the driver." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched him!" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded night.' said he. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Not I." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever business at Coburg Square is serious." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his golden eyeglasses. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' said he at last. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could works. See paragraph 1.E below. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in wall." over with notes and figures. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "This photograph!" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers that there was nothing in it, after all." once more to my work. "Entirely." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Yes, there are nearly always some there." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three during the last few years, and there are many noble families to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the house with me." "At the wedding breakfast." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred head. So long, then!" asked. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I am in hopes that she does." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you your sleep?' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Then I shall certainly come." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "About a month then." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "And how have you succeeded?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Mary, has deserted me." detained." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey I held the little printed slip to the light. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' delirious. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year