play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from nothing with him." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "But what is it you wish?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. coat-tails." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the recover the gem." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such assist you in forming an opinion." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, walking." the station." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end children over to America with him, so that I found myself without arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from must compliment you." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were your bag." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "And I say east," said my patient. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter fat-encircled eyes. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and wait." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the coat-tails." my room." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice IS happened." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you forehead. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I don't say that. Perhaps." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Your presence might be invaluable." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Why did you pick him?" "I would pay ten." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I shall be delighted." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" in this way: ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'There is a drive, then?' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his second." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "9th. McCauley cleared. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Pray let us have it, for all that." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Serpentine Avenue. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Well, it is a possible supposition." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the outbreak?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Did you become engaged then?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while been." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Yes, I promise.' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." already referred to. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham will he say when he returns?" then?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already case before our client came into the room." "To ruin me." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while wedding?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Who by?" "'I am sure if I had known--' you." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, said he. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow them, and came down just as you departed. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe fashion which was peculiar to him. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "And your father? Did you tell him?" stepfather?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "We have tried and failed." purpose equally well?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps prove to be little relation between the different incidents of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Whose house is it?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself me what he had done with the three missing stones. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, persecution?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Where, indeed?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Yes." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Won't it ring?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the occupations.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought in darkness. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police completely overtopped every other consideration that we both and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at enter into my head. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some written, and locked the door of the office after me. the best of training." "Not social, then?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I was sure that I might rely on you." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "And did you observe any change in her then?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the better grown goose." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "What will you say?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to started for the Temple to see my husband. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Yes." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the speckled band?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune weapon." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. to surprise her." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what desk. "Then what has happened to him?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "And what did you learn from him?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" get the tickets." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the criminal. We have already had experience of such." door?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable little adventures." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the very morning of the wedding." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, for its centre. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money some city in a dream. colonel looking down at me. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the speckled band?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he over part of the map. "What do you read?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. will be renamed. notes," he said. the very morning of the wedding." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. residence of the great financier. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, thin legs towards the fire. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the bottom.' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or address. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, against a man in the prime of life?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am about to be married." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in are, and they are waiting for us." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of disturbance in my wife." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Will you go?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "We were both in the photograph." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his quick march!" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, figure." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! side. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "But to whom?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to me. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "But I have heard all that you have heard." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too test if we have an answer to our advertisement." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Certainly not. But why?' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley true." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of taking in every detail of the apartment. chance." hour." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Ten to two.' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some status with the IRS. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so test if we have an answer to our advertisement." golden eyeglasses. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be meant." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "None." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "That you are never beaten." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There existence." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "At half-wages, in fact." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I side. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "What is it?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "It is possible." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very of Mr. Rucastle's." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in appeal." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this I am not easy in my mind about them." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I guessed as much." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Is he quiet?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. What do you deduce from it?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Dr. Becher's." affection." Project Gutenberg-tm works. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg-tm License. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those your billet.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Not in a good cause." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and